Zimbabwe’s push for energy independence has taken a major step forward, with a key 100-megawatt solar farm in Gwanda officially clearing its final hurdles to begin construction.
The developer, Intratrek Zimbabwe, alongside its global partner CHiNT Electric, received formal clearance from the government through the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) to start work on the project. Under the terms of the reinstated agreement, construction team members have been given two years to complete the facility.
The green light comes after a long period of stagnation. Although Intratrek won the original tender in late 2014, disagreements over execution timelines led ZPC to attempt to terminate the contract in 2018. Subsequent legal challenges ended in 2023, when both the High Court and Supreme Court ruled that the contract remained legally binding, clearing the runway for the project to restart.
With a national energy demand reaching up to 4,000 MW against an actual average supply of roughly 1,400 to 1,600 MW, the completed plant is expected to deliver a crucial boost to the national grid. Local industries, particularly mining and commercial farming, stand to benefit from a more stable power supply.With site preparation underway and initial mobilization steps in place, Intratrek is set to provide ongoing progress tracking to state oversight offices as construction unfolds.
